Goal-Based Outcomes (GBO)

Goal-Based Outcomes (GBO)

Introduction

The GBO is an effective and simple way of youth deciding at the beginning of an intervention what they want to work on, tracking progress along the way, as well as seeing how far they have managed to get at the end of an intervention. It is a brief tool used to measure progress (i.e., changes the youth has identified as most important to them) and outcomes of an intervention. It is a measure of what the young person wants to achieve, not the goals a service provider might wish to see the youth achieve. The GBO tool can be used with any intervention or therapeutic modality, and has been used successfully with youth and adults in mental and physical health settings. . It has good face validity (e.g., it makes sense to youth using it, as it is measuring goal progress). The GBO is what is known as an ideographic measure; Since youth’s goals are different and unique to them, what is measured with the GBO is particular to that youth.

Why are we asking youth to complete this form?

Youth may come to Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) with a solid notion of what they want help with, or they may not have specific change, learning, or self-understanding goals. If the youth is unsure of goals prior to the first clinical visit, they can be identified and explored collaboratively between the youth and service provider. Youth can then provide ratings of their goal progress. Addressing goal progress in session can lead to beneficial discussions about what/who is helping the youth reach their goal, as well as how progress can be maintained. It can also flag if there is a lack of progress, or if a goal may need to be modified, and what can assist in these regards. The GBO tool is important as it provides an opportunity for youth to have a voice in terms of where they want support, and then answers the question, “Is this intervention helping you make progress towards the things that you really want help with?” The GBO tool is also suitable for virtual services; It is simple to both rate and engage in a discussion about goals/ratings online or over the phone. Done well, writing down goals to track them leads to a clear articulation of the collaborative work to be done between the service provider and young person. 

Responding to youth asking why they are being asked to complete this tool:

This form is basically asking you to share the things that you really want help with. You can either fill in the goals on your own or, if it’s tricky to come up with specific goals, you can talk about it with a service provider and figure one/some out together. Then you can track how you’re progressing when you visit the hub. Of course, the expectation is not that goals reach 100% accomplishment. We just want to work with you to help move a little bit more toward whatever learning or change you’re interested in achieving. You and a service provider can monitor your progress together over time.

Clinical questionnaire:

At the hub, when youth are provided the questionnaire on an iPad (or possibly in hard copy form), they receive the following instructions:

In coming to this service, what are some of the problems you want help with or goals you want to get to? (List up to three goals)